New Gear, February 2013

February 14, 2013

1

Propellerhead Software

Radical Keys
Reason rack extension
$99

HIGHLIGHTS Re-creates three classic
electromechanical keyboards—
Rhodes, Pianet, and Wurlitzer
• based on the same ‘Radical’
technology as Propellerhead’s
acclaimed Radical Piano • goes
beyond emulation by enabling
users to sculpt their own
instruments from the originalsTARGET MARKET Reason owners
who want to expand their
available roster of instrumentsANALYSIS The introduction of Rack
Extension technology has been
huge, as it allows optional-at-extra-cost
add-ons to the core Reason
program. In addition to cultivating
third-party contributions,
Propellerhead Software has been
active in creating new modules.propellerheads.se

HIGHLIGHTS Collection of
instruments, sound effects,
percussion kits, and more, sourced
from a circuit-bent Casio SK-5
• for Ableton Live, NI Kontakt,
and Apple Logic • Ableton Live
Racks include precise incremental
controls • Logic EXS version
includes Channel Strip Settings
with Logic effects TARGET MARKET Those who seek
unusual sounds based on the
SK-5’s lo-fi character ANALYSIS Circuit bending can
open up a world beyond standard
instrument sounds; but if you
don’t have the tech chops to do it
yourself, libraries of circuit-bent
sounds are the next-best option.puremagnetik.com

5

Hosa
USB-200FB Series
High-speed USB cables$8.95–$11.95

HIGHLIGHTS Available in 3-, 6-, and
10-foot lengths • pivoting Type A
connector (the end that typically
connects to a computer) can be
set to either straight or right-angle
positions • supports burst data
transfer rates up to 480Mbps TARGET MARKET DJs, musicians,
and audio professionals who
need to make connections to an
elevated laptop computer and
related equipment in cramped
quarters ANALYSIS As more portable gear
uses USB, connecting peripherals
to computers in tight spaces can
be a problem—one that the USB-
200FB Series is designed to solve.hosatech.com

6

ElektronAnalog Four
Hardware synthesizer
$1,149

HIGHLIGHTS Four-voice analog
synthesizer with digital control
• step sequencer with parameter
locks • two analog oscillators and
filters per voice • dedicated CV/Gate and FX sequencer tracks •
two external inputs • MIDI in/out/thru with DIN sync out •
multiple LFOs and envelopes per
voice TARGET MARKET Keyboard players
who favor analog synths ANALYSIS While purists love the
sound of analog, it’s hard to
forego some of the advantages
of digital—like sequencing
precision. By combining analog
sound with digital technology,
Elektron intends to offer the best
of both worlds.
elektron.se

7

Lynda.com
Audio Recording Techniques
Video course
subscription-based

HIGHLIGHTS Five-hour program
hosted and written by audio
recording educator Bobby
Owsinski • walks through the
process of miking and tracking a
complete song • covers recording
drums, guitars, vocals, strings,
horns, bass, keyboards, and more TARGET MARKET Beginners who
need the fundamentals of studio
miking and recording techniques ANALYSIS While many musicians
have become proficient with
desktop recording setups, there
are often gaps in their knowledge
regarding fundamentals—like
recording a drum set. This video
addresses those kinds of users, as
well as beginners.
lynda.com